Gather the Good

This month's letter is from Cora Davis, NDMV Director of Communications. As we step into our 2026–2027 service year, we’re wrapping up an incredible 35th year of service and celebration—and she's excited to announce our new theme for the year ahead!

Every day, we're surrounded by reasons to feel discouraged. Headlines highlight division. Social media feeds can leave us overwhelmed. It's easy to focus on the negativity. 

But what if we chose to do something different?

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have given us an example of how to look at the sunflower as a reminder of another way to live. Sunflowers turn toward the sun as it moves, continually seeking the light that gives them life and helps them grow.

Our new theme for the 2026-2027 service year represents an active choice to turn towards the light and…

Gather the Good

To Gather the Good is to make that an intentional choice to seek hope instead of despair, possibility instead of fear, and goodness wherever it can be found. 

It doesn't mean ignoring the challenges around us. It means choosing to believe that even in difficult moments, acts of compassion, justice, and love can make a difference.

At Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, we Gather the Good every day through service. Our Volunteers build relationships with students, support adult learners, strengthen communities, and show up for their neighbors with consistency and care. They Gather the Good in classrooms, community centers, and neighborhoods across the country and they discover that small acts of service create lasting change. 

One way you can support us in Gathering the Good is by donating to our organization on our website: www.ndmv.org/donate

Together, we can choose to turn towards the sun and Gather the Good.